Sugs calling it quits, to retire after Toray Pan Pacific

Ai Sugiyama officially announced her plans to retire at the end of the season during a press conference in Narita, Japan.

The 34-year old told the press,

I am normally the type that can picture what the near future holds but to be honest at this moment in time I can't see myself competing next season.

I knew that the moment I realized I could play well in fits and starts but not over the course of a season then it would be time to retire. Now I would like to give something back to tennis.

Sugs reached a career high ranking of world No. 8 and made a record 62 consecutive Grand Slam appearances. She won six career singles titles, but her best results came in doubles where she racked up 38 titles including 3 at majors.

Her final tourney will be at the Toray Pan Pacific which begins on September 27.

(Photo: TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images)

The players get their party on at the Japan Open

Players party: A few of the notable men and women from the tennis tours took time out from the Japan Open this week to get their party on. Those in attendance included Ai Sugiyama, Venus Williams, Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet, David Ferrer, Sania Mirza, and Lleyton Hewitt.

Call us crazy but this doesn't look like much of a party. And, aren't they missing part of their kimono?